Manatee County Commissioner Reggie Bellamy was recently elected chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority, which oversees expenditures at Port Manatee. Bellamy has been first vice chairman since January, and will serve one year as chairman. Seven members serve on the board, including first vice chairwoman Misty Servia, second vice chairman James Satcher and third vice chairwoman Carol Whitmore. Port Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the Panama Canal, and generates more than $3.9 billion in annual economic impact.